PCC Katy Bourne Backs White Ribbon Day 2025: Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Sussex

Since 2012, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne has been a committed supporter of White Ribbon Day and the crucial call to end all violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Under her dedicated Police and Crime Plan, Mrs Bourne has the priority: 'Support and safeguard victims and tackle violence against women and girls'. You can read more about this in the plan online.

Focus: Stalking and Supporting Survivors

PCC Bourne works closely with Sussex Police and partners to provide a wide net of services for victims of crime, including stalking, domestic abuse and sexual violence. This commitment extends to funding important programmes aimed at changing the behaviour of stalking and domestic abuse perpetrators to stop re-offending.

In 2024/25 alone, more than 2000 victims of stalking were supported by Veritas Justice – a dedicated advocacy service supporting people affected by stalking across Sussex by providing free and confidential advice.

Sussex Leads the Way with Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs)

Sussex was the first in the country to implement and lead the use of Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs).

SPOs are a powerful, court-mandated tool that imposes legal conditions on a perpetrator. These can include:

• Prohibiting contact with the victim, either directly or indirectly.
• Banning entry into agreed exclusion zones, such as the victim’s workplace.
• Mandating that the perpetrator re-registers their home address annually.
• Setting a condition to attend behaviour change programmes such as Compulsive Obsessive Behaviour Intervention (COBI).

You can see a breakdown of Stalking Protection Orders in Sussex for the past year below:

(Breaches in the above diagram are not linked to the amount of SPOs granted, a singular SPO can see more than one breach.)

The PCC also funds the Sussex High Harm Perpetrator Programme, which provides tailored intervention for persistent perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking with complex needs. The COBI Programme mentioned above is part of managing Stalking Protection Orders if granted by the courts. 

Speaking about the importance of White Ribbon Day and the continued work in Sussex to tackle VAWG, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “White Ribbon Day serves as a critical reminder that tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, particularly the highly corrosive crime of stalking, remains an absolute priority for Sussex Police, partners and my office.

“The 229% rise in reports of stalking mentioned highlights both the complexity of this offence and the increasing confidence victims have in coming forward.

“Through the proactive use of Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs), survivors of stalking are receiving the security and protection they desperately need from their perpetrator. Allowing them to start navigating their way back to ‘normal’ life and beginning a healing process.

“In Sussex, we are using every available legal tool to manage persistent high-harm perpetrators and place immediate, court-mandated restrictions on their behaviour to improve the safety of women and girls in our county.”

“I welcome the recent announcement of the independent review of stalking laws – it is imperative that police forces and the criminal justice system give victims and survivors of stalking the utmost protection possible, especially when re-living their crimes through either court sittings or investigations. I am pleased to say that my office sits on the National Stalking Policy Development Group and will be invited to the Legislative Review in the future.”

Detective Sergeant Kerri Bartup from the Sussex Police Complex Abuse Unit said: 

"Sussex Police are committed to continually improving our response to Stalking . We know that unwanted fixated behaviour can impact every part of a victim’s life and, if left to continue, can lead to violence and other serious offences.  Our partnership work within the CDASU allows us to work together to ensure we are providing the best possible service to survivors of this devastating offence, including seeking a Stalking Protection Order to protect them. If you are being subjected to any suspicious or unwanted behaviour, no matter how minor it may feel, please report it to us. We will take it seriously and we will make sure you are safe."

Case Study: Veritas Justice

(Names have been changed to protect the identity of the victim.)

After a short relationship ended, Victoria found herself subjected to a frightening campaign of stalking. The behaviour escalated quickly — persistent contact, monitoring, and unwanted attention that left her feeling constantly watched and unsafe.

What began as emotional distress soon became a serious health crisis. The sustained fear and anxiety caused her pre-existing condition to worsen, leading to hospitalisation and long-term health complications, including seizures. The stalking also left her exhausted, hypervigilant, and struggling to sleep, affecting every part of her life and the wellbeing of her family.

Once professionals recognised the full extent of the harm — both physical and psychological — agencies worked closely together to ensure Victoria received the right support at the right time. Through Veritas Justice’s advocacy and partnership with health services and police, Victoria remained engaged with the criminal justice process and secured a Stalking Protection Order, providing vital safety and space to recover.

Victoria’s experience shows how stalking can devastate lives far beyond emotional harm. It highlights the importance of professionals working collaboratively, recognising the wide-ranging impact of stalking, and ensuring victims and survivors receive coordinated, trauma-informed support.

Claudia Ortiz, Veritas Justice Director said:

“Victoria’s experience shows just how devastating stalking can be — it affects every aspect of a person’s life, from their health to their sense of safety. This case really demonstrated the difference it makes when professionals work together, recognise the signs early, and respond in a coordinated, trauma-informed way. It’s that partnership approach that helps survivors move from fear towards recovery.”

Help and support

If you are in need of help and support, please visit Safe Space Sussex for more information and access to support services.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.